Are you interested in a rewarding and challenging opportunity? Join the U.S. Department of Justice!

The Section is seeking an experienced attorney for the position of Supervisory Trial Attorney (Deputy Chief). Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Attorney selected for this position will be responsible for duties such as, but not limited to: (1) working with the Section Chief and management team to develop and establish strategies and priorities for SPL's work addressing systemic constitutional deficiencies in state and local prisons and jails; (2) leading the Corrections Practice Group, including attorneys and staff, charged with implementing the strategies to address unconstitutional conditions in state and local prisons and jails; (3) working collaboratively with other DOJ components and federal agencies on matters relating to the conditions of confinement in prisons and jails; (4) supervising sensitive and/or complex investigations, litigation, and negotiations relating to SPL's work addressing unlawful conditions of confinement in state and local prisons and jails; (5) reviewing, editing, and approving extensive written work product; (6) supervising and mentoring attorneys and other Section staff addressing conditions of confinement in state and local prisons and jails; (7) working with the Section Chief and management team to develop and establish strategies and priorities for SPL's work addressing unconstitutional conditions in state and local prisons and jails; (8) coordinating with other federal agencies to develop strategies for effective and efficient information sharing; (9) supervising and conducting outreach activities; and (10) undertaking various administrative duties, including evaluating attorneys and staff and performing non-litigating assignments and special projects assigned by the Chief or other officials in the Division. The incumbent will be responsible for supervising: implementation of practice area priorities; screening and development of new matters; comprehensive investigations involving in-person visits, witness interviews, experts, data analysis, and preparation of written recommendations and legal analyses; litigation involving all aspects of the Section's work addressing unconstitutional conditions in state and local prisons and jails; the negotiation, monitoring, and enforcement of settlement agreements; and attorney and staff development. Litigation associated with the Section's investigations is typically complex, involving extensive discovery, pretrial motions practice, preliminary injunction hearings, trials, and post judgment enforcement and contempt proceedings.

Travel Required

50% or less - Travel may be required 2-4 nights each month as well as holidays and weekends. If a case goes to trial, extensive travel may be required.

Supervisory status Yes

Promotion Potential 15

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

Must be a U.S. Citizen or National

All male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the selective service. If selected, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.

You will need to successfully complete a pre-employment background security process pending completion and adjudication of the background investigation before you can be appointed into an attorney position.

You must have a Juris Doctorate degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must possess a J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school, be an active member of the bar in good standing (any jurisdiction), and possess a minimum of six (6) years of post-professional law degree experience. Applicants also must have strong, demonstrated qualifications in the following areas: academic achievement; substantive knowledge and expertise in the laws, rules and regulations applicable to the work of the section relating to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act or substantially similar laws, rules and regulations; ability to effectively supervise all aspects of difficult cases and matter, and the ability to delegate responsibility to staff; ability to manage a significant docket, handle several difficult or complex cases and matters at the same time, and ensure that applicable deadlines are met; editing, writing and oral advocacy skills; community outreach skills; outstanding skill and experience leading and working collaboratively and productively with others; mentoring skills; negotiation skills; professional judgment; written and oral communication skills; the ability to analyze complex issues; skill and experience working collaboratively and productively with others; organizational skills; professional judgment; initiative; and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment. In addition, applicants must have the ability to motivate and engage employees; the skill to build relationships that create trust, open dialogue, and full transparency; the assertiveness to drive outcomes and overcome adversity; the capacity to create a culture of clear accountability; the integrity to make decisions based solely on merit; and outstanding professional references.

Preferred Qualifications :

Given the nature and volume of this work, the Section generally seeks candidates with significant litigation experience. Applicants with one or more of the following qualifications are preferred but not required: (1) experience supervising attorneys and support staff; (2) civil or criminal trial experience; (3) extensive federal civil or criminal litigation experience; (4) experience with complex investigations; (5) extensive knowledge of corrections practices and experience enforcing laws related to conditions in prisons and jails; (6) extensive negotiation skills; (7) extensive skill and experience identifying, developing, and implementing outreach efforts or public presentations; (8) ability to develop and implement effective advocacy strategies and balance competing priorities; and (9) extensive experience leading and developing high performing teams to achieve strategic objectives. Judicial clerkships (especially in federal court), law review, moot court, clinical experience, and skill and experience working cooperatively and productively with a range of people, including individuals from disadvantaged or disenfranchised groups, opposing counsel, judicial or administrative officials, advocacy groups, law enforcement personnel, and the staff of other federal or state governmental agencies, are also preferred.

Education

You must possess a J.D. degree

Additional information

Schedule A: The Civil Rights Division welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. The Civil Rights Division also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes directly to Diane Turner by email to Diane.M.Turner@usdoj.gov.

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans .

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx ).

Additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement to fill vacancies that occur subsequent to this announcement.

E-Verify - The Civil Rights Division uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify .

Division offices are near metro transportation systems or other public transportation, and are conveniently accessible to restaurants, museums and other D.C. area attractions. Most jobs in the Division offer alternative work schedules and other family friendly opportunities are available.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Applicants will be evaluated based on interview performance, the qualifications set forth above, and other job-related skills, experience and qualifications consistent with merit system principles applicable to hiring for career positions with the Department of Justice.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance Not Required

Drug test required Yes

Position sensitivity and risk High Risk (HR)

Trust determination process Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your application to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in mail service, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience).

Resume - Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.

Law School Transcripts

Writing Sample - A brief or comparable analytic legal exposition that is your work product. (No more than 10 pages)

Assessment Questionnaire (you will be prompted to complete this when you apply online).

Current or Former Political Appointees (if applicable) - please note on your resume and attach an SF-50. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office.

Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable):

If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives at www.archives.gov/veterans.

If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.

If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15 http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf and all additional proof required by the SF-15, as applicable. If you don't have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it at http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ or call 1-800-827-1000.